Like for Like replacement no bonding?

[Wattsy]

Hi all,

Been to look at a job which is just a few like for likes and fault find.

Whilst there i noticed that theres no bonding to the main water.

I know its just like for like but if i want to issue a mwc then you cant tick the box that says "confirmation of adequecy of main protective bonding".

Normally i'd just install it but its a mid terrace cu at front water at rear and t&g chipboard flooring throughout? Its only

 

[ProDave]

Is there ANY water near the CU?

My thought is if you can verify the whole property is plumbed in copper, and can get an earth bond to a nearby bathroom or kitchen then do that and mark it as a deviation.

I know it should be bonded where the rising main enters, but if it's all copper and you can verify continuity, then IMO an earth bond somewhere else is better than nothing and might give you a practical solution without ripping the whole house apart.

 

[green-hornet]

Its not ideal, but I would have to agree with prodave.

You have to remember costs to the customer and the regulations, as well as marking down the deviation I would make comment on the existing installation. Some times you have to do what you can and as prodave suggests its better to do this than nothing at all.

 

[Badger]

Is there ANY water near the CU?My thought is if you can verify the whole property is plumbed in copper, and can get an earth bond to a nearby bathroom or kitchen then do that and mark it as a deviation.

I know it should be bonded where the rising main enters, but if it's all copper and you can verify continuity, then IMO an earth bond somewhere else is better than nothing and might give you a practical solution without ripping the whole house apart.

id bleeding hope not :^O

 

[ElectekAir]

Lesson to learn for everyone check bonding before giving a price:innocent

If customer does not want to pay for the bonding just walk away

If you place a bond near the CU and a plumber is called in then he may install plastic and there will no longer be a bond to half of the copper he would not be to blame but you would.

Also if the customer wants one of these insurance thingies that BG offer or Home-care they will automatically say no bonding because it is not where it should be. Which will make you look bad to the customer.

 

[ianmacd]

I would explain it to cmr and let them decide.

 

[ElectekAir]

I would explain it to cmr and let them decide.

Ian do you mean customer?

 

[ianmacd]

Oui

 

[ElectekAir]

I don't feel that you can leave a decision like that to the customer! it should have been verified before the work was started.

For a example if you give a price to the customer to replace a CU and they say it is too expensive then do you give them the option to remove the RCD's.

I know that in this case the OP is only talking about a MWS but is it necessary for the works that he was doing if not i would not issue one (he could be just replacing a light switch in the lounge)

 

[ianmacd]

I was not advocatinhg not bonding at all just giving the cmr(sic) the option to pay extra to have it bonded in a better place to avoid issues like described above (and paying the extra costs).

 

[ianmacd]

Up the wall and across loft and down again maybe?

 

[NozSpark]

Up the wall and across loft and down again maybe?

Done that before.. ended up 35ish meters long so had to use 16mm:innocent

If it's absolutley "like for like" replacement then a MWC is not really required; in this situation I'd make the customer aware of the deficiency and give them a price to put it right... If they declined then I'd carry out the "Like for like" work, get paid and then give them a danger notice.

 

[Wattsy]

Thanks for your relpys.

As it is just like for like:

Replacing kitchen strip light and switch

replacing Bathroom fan

& replacing porch light

i don't think i'll issue a mwc but i will explain the situation.

Also iirc the water on the houses on the estate in question actually comes in in plastic thens changes to copper. So in theory if a test to the MET to the pipe is >23000ohms then its not extraneous and doesn't need bonding.

Your thoughts again please

 

[a1spark]

Also iirc the water on the houses on the estate in question actually comes in in plastic thens changes to copper. Arrrr Hey Wattsy ..why didnt you say that to start with mate ?

 

[Wattsy]

Lol sorry guys. Been thinking about it today and its the same estate my parents live on and i'm pretty sure its plastic to copper then the whole house is copper.Wet Fish

 

[a1spark]

o.k. WATTSY no prob really

You will need to check then and verify if the exposed pipework is extraneous or not, as you have stated.

 

[ianmacd]

Pipework will most likely bonded by plumber at boiler so may well test under 23kohm.

 

[a1spark]

Pipework will most likely bonded by plumber at boiler so may well test under 23kohm.

Good point Ian, the cpc from the boiler supply would most definately make any pipework [ connected to the boiler ] a conductive part .. would you class it as exposed or as extraneous ?

 

[ianmacd]

Extraneous as the pipework external to the electrical system surly?

 

[a1spark]

Yes I think i tend to agree...a tricky one though dont you think ? with it gaining its earth potential via the appliance [boiler]......Think your right though .